"Physics- B.A. with Teaching of Science Concentrations" vs. a Regular Physics B.A.

elicue
Thu, 12 Feb 2015 04:52:09 +0000

I am currently an undergrad majoring in Physics, but with a concentration on teaching.

During an appointment with my advisor when my major was still just Physics (BA), I mentioned that with Physics I may want to teach. I wasn’t 100% sure about it, but I never liked the idea of being an engineer and/or working in labs/with my hands. I’m more of a person who likes to study/share the ideas/theories and see everything on a chalkboard. He suggested I switch to my current major, but I refused at first because it sounded as if it would stop me from doing anything other than teaching (in case I decided I didn’t want to teach). I didn’t and still don’t like the idea of being limited.

What made me switch was the fact that I had switched from Political Science (yeah I know) in my final year and I honestly want to save time and money- a regular Physics BA is a year more than Physics Education (we’ll call it that). I have a year to go but my question remains the same and I just want to hear your thoughts/comments/opinions/experiences…

Am I limited to just being a teacher/professor with this degree? If not, what else could I do with my Physics Education degree? (Grad school is definite- going for the MA & hopefully PhD, but depending on my answers I’ll either go for just Physics or continue with Physics Education.) Again, the thought of being limited kind of scares me. I don’t know what my options are.

Any comments are appreciated. Thank you!